All the Colors of the Dark

All the Colors of the Dark tells the story of "Patch," a one-eyed boy who is just 13 when girls begin to go missing in his town. When he rescues the daughter of a wealthy family, the latest target in the crime spree, he inadvertently kicks off a tidal wave that ripples for a lifetime.

This book is billed as both a crime story and a love story, and it is — but not love in the way you may think. It encompasses romantic love, but also the gruff love of a neighbor, the fearful love of a parent, the loyal love of friendship, and all the many shades in between.

Although Whitaker has written a longer-than-average novel that clocks in at almost 600 pages, his punchy writing style and ultra-short chapters make it easy to keep moving through the story. Multiple viewpoints, locations, and storylines keep readers on their toes, while setting the stage for a deep sense of satisfaction when everything comes together in the end. Whitaker’s richly detailed character development makes it easy to fall in love with Patch and Saint, even as complex and flawed as they are.

I highly recommend this book to fans of Demon Copperhead and Ordinary Grace, and readers who appreciate rich character development and slow-burn intrigue.